AHL: Habs assign Tokarski, Bournival to Hamilton

Netminder posted first NHL shutout on Sunday against Buffalo

Bournival demoted

Canadiens' Michael Bournival breaks in on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Anton Khudobin in a January contest in Montreal. The Habs have sent Bournival to the Hamilton Bulldogs for conditioning.

First NHL shutout

Associated Press File Photo

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Dustin Tokarski, pictured, earned his first NHL shutout Sunday night in a 2-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. With the return of Carey Price, the Habs have sent Tokarski back to Hamilton.

The Montreal Canadiens have assigned goalie Dustin Tokarski and forward Michael Bournival to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

For Tokarski, the move comes a day he recorded his first National Hockey League shutout, a 29-save, 2-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Tokarski was filling in with the Habs while star netminder Care Price was out with a lower-body injury aggravated during the Olympics.

In three games with Montreal, the 24-year-old Humboldt, Sask., native has a record of 2-0-0 with a 1.84 goals-against average and .946 save percentage. In 34 games with Hamilton this season, the 5-foot-11, 198-pound goaltender has a record of 17-13-2 with a 2.34 goals-against average, .919 save percentage and one shutout.

Bournival is coming to Hamilton on a conditioning stint. He suffered a concussion on Feb. 6 versus the Canucks, when an errant stick from teammate Dale Weise knocked him out of the game. Bournival has only recently been practising with the Canadiens.

In 50 games with Montreal this season, Bournival has 13 points. The 21-year-old spent all of last season, his first as a professional, with the Bulldogs. In 69 games with Hamilton in 2012-2013, the 5-foot-11, 196-pound forward netted 30 points.

Before turning pro, the Shawinigan, Que., native spent four seasons with the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Shawinigan Cataractes. In 201 career QMJHL regular season games, Bournival recorded 204 points (93 goals, 111 assists). He finished his junior career by winning the Canadian Hockey League's Memorial Cup as captain of the Cataractes.

Hamilton's next game is Wednesday against the visiting Abbotsford Heat (AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames). Game time is 7:30 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre.